WCCC's programs allow you to have a career that you enjoy. Join the thousands of high school and adult WCCC students each year who benefit through earning industry certifications that are in demand in the job market and earning college credit toward a degree.
Once students complete their program, WCCC's Job Placement Center and instructors help in the job search. Placement rates for adult education vary by program and range from 75 to 100 percent.
Hallie McCluskey graduated from the Heavy Equipment Operations program at WCCC in May and is now employed at Loveland Excavating & Paving. The 36-year-old has an associate's degree, but had lost her job after working in an office for 12 years. That's when she decided to look into other options.
"My family has been in the excavating business and I enjoyed it as well," she said. "I like working outside, so I started checking into certifications. This (the WCCC) was an affordable alternative to college. I started in January of 2015 and it was the first time I went to school and actually enjoyed going to school."
The Heavy Equipment Operations program is a 600-hour course to become a certified operator. It allows students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on multiple types of equipment. An added bonus is that the program also provides students with letters of recommendations for future jobs, teaches them how to write resumes, provides connections to job opportunities in the field and offers financial management instruction.
"It was a neat thing to see all the equipment they had access to that we were able to learn on and the instructors were very encouraging. They went above and beyond to help you - they took it personally," McCluskey added. "The program doesn't guarantee you a job, but it provided all the tools to get one along with the connections. It was a great experience and I would definitely recommend others to go through the program at the Warren County Career Center."
WCCC has 11 full-time programs available, all offering 600 or more hours of training. Each course also provides guidance on finances, resume writing, interviewing, and more. A wide array of part-time programs is also available.
Jennifer Shutts is planning to graduate soon from the cosmetology program and already has a job lined up with Christopher Marcus Salon in Cincinnati where she has been interning since May. She has completed more than 1,200 hours of her 1,500 to graduate.
"This has been a great program for me," Shutts said. "I went to college and changed majors a lot. I took a lot of different classes. I ended up getting married and having children. Recently I divorced and was working in the restaurant management business and didn't really enjoy it, so I started looking into cosmetology programs and found that the Warren County Career Center offered an adult program that was quick and affordable. I had always wanted to go into cosmetology, but didn't do it. I have found that I absolutely love it and have a great passion for it."
Shutts' cosmetology instructor Christine Rohler at WCCC helped Jennifer find a salon that offered an internship to receive hands-on experience before she graduates. She started working at Christopher Marcus Salon in Cincinnati three months ago for just a few days a week that has helped her immensely.
"He has not only offered her a job, but with an extremely generous offer," Rohler said. "It's wonderful when our students are a success after graduation, but to be offered such a wonderful opportunity before graduation is an exceptional feat."
Shutts starts her new job in September upon graduation from WCCC and will continue to train before taking clients the beginning of next year.
Want to learn more?
If you are looking to start or change careers, begin by visiting the WCCC Adult Workforce Education open house on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 3-7 p.m. at the main campus in Lebanon. Information and tours will also be available at the Greentree Health Science Academy and the BIT Academy locations. Learn more about the many opportunities at WCCC to prepare for a new career that is in demand in the job market, or upgrade your skills to get ahead. Tour labs, talk with instructors, and meet with a counselor to plan your future or assess your career interests.
To enroll, schedule an admission appointment with the program coordinator by calling 513-932-8145. You must have a high school diploma or GED and successfully complete the WorkKeys Assessment to enroll in an adult program. WorkKeys is a standardized test with three parts - applied math, locating information, and reading for information. See what's available at www.mywccc.org.